Hockey News picks Avs 14th in West

Improvement! Who says the Avs will finish last again in the Western Conference this year? The Hockey News isn’t one of them. THN picks the Burgundy and Blue to finish…next-to-last.

Baby steps, people, baby steps.

THN made the pick in their annual pre-season yearbook, on newsstands now. They pick the Philadelphia Flyers to win it all, by the way. By the way, the bible of hockey says the Avs can finish as high as 10th – but only if “Duchene makes club, excels as No. 2 pivot.”

Who does THN pick to finish even worse than our Avs? That would be the Hamilton Phoenix Coyotes.

Well, if THN honestly believes the Flyers have any shot at winning anything next year, then I think that eliminates any credibility they may have had.

The Avs will finish 14th, huh? Or as high as 10th?

One thing I know for sure: the Avs have a much better chance at winning it all than the Flyers do.

JZ

Well, if THN honestly believes the Flyers have any shot at winning anything next year, then I think that eliminates any credibility they may have had.

The Avs will finish 14th, huh? Or as high as 10th?

One thing I know for sure: the Avs have a much better chance at winning it all than the Flyers do.

Avaranche

Does that mean its the Sharks this year? I’m going with them as my pick, them or anybody but the wings.

Avaranche

Does that mean its the Sharks this year? I’m going with them as my pick, them or anybody but the wings.

Oravec

They were dead on last year…

Oravec

They were dead on last year…

Rob

Ken J – THN hasn’t picked the Flyers since Lindros played for them. San Jose and Detroit have comprised a majority of their predictions over the past few years.

Rob

Ken J – THN hasn’t picked the Flyers since Lindros played for them. San Jose and Detroit have comprised a majority of their predictions over the past few years.

James

Everything depends on the young guys. Hopefully Stewart can have an “Adam Deadmarsh like” 2nd season. Both former first round picks had under 20 pts and 50 PIMs in half a season in their first NHL campaigns.

Deadmarsh followed up by scoring 21 goals and 142 PIMs his 2nd season; hopefully Stewart can follow in his tracks.

James

Everything depends on the young guys. Hopefully Stewart can have an “Adam Deadmarsh like” 2nd season. Both former first round picks had under 20 pts and 50 PIMs in half a season in their first NHL campaigns.

Deadmarsh followed up by scoring 21 goals and 142 PIMs his 2nd season; hopefully Stewart can follow in his tracks.

SIMON

That magazine was delivered to my doorstep last Thursday, and Mr. Dater talks about it a week later. Wow, great coverage! It shows how much we need a real beat cover person to follow the Avs. Not just some journalist who considers this as a job and not a passion.

SIMON

That magazine was delivered to my doorstep last Thursday, and Mr. Dater talks about it a week later. Wow, great coverage! It shows how much we need a real beat cover person to follow the Avs. Not just some journalist who considers this as a job and not a passion.

Jeru1975

HA, Philly winning the Cup is priceless and completely idiotic!! I have a hard time seeing them beating out Boston, New Yok, Buffalo or even Carolina!!!

THN, gotta love ’em!! BTW, thanks for the love on the 14th spot!!! An injury-free season, young guns tearin’ it up, and our new goalie having a breakout year and I’m thinkin’ playoffs; 8th seed baby!!!! Yes, I am VERY optimistic!!!

Jeru1975

HA, Philly winning the Cup is priceless and completely idiotic!! I have a hard time seeing them beating out Boston, New Yok, Buffalo or even Carolina!!!

THN, gotta love ’em!! BTW, thanks for the love on the 14th spot!!! An injury-free season, young guns tearin’ it up, and our new goalie having a breakout year and I’m thinkin’ playoffs; 8th seed baby!!!! Yes, I am VERY optimistic!!!

ctk

@simon
well dater _was_ on vacation for a while, and i don’t even think he’s officially back from vacation. dontcha think him talking about this now considering is pretty appropriate?

ctk

@simon
well dater _was_ on vacation for a while, and i don’t even think he’s officially back from vacation. dontcha think him talking about this now considering is pretty appropriate?

Brandon

Anyone that says Adrian does not have a passion for hockey, or journalism, doesn’t know him very well. I often question his intelligence :) but not his passion.

Brandon

Anyone that says Adrian does not have a passion for hockey, or journalism, doesn’t know him very well. I often question his intelligence :) but not his passion.

Chris K

I think this will be an interesting season to watch as it unfolds. There will more than likely be a pretty rough first couple of months, but hopefully we’ll get a chance to see some of the young talent start to shine as the season progresses. If they do, I see them finishing closer to 10th than last, and hopefully they can end the season on that “good run” that so many young teams seem to make before becoming a legitimate playoff team the following season.

I’ll miss hearing Norm call the games this year, although with 1510’s stellar nighttime signal, did we really hear him that much last year either?

SIMON… why do you bother?

Chris K

I think this will be an interesting season to watch as it unfolds. There will more than likely be a pretty rough first couple of months, but hopefully we’ll get a chance to see some of the young talent start to shine as the season progresses. If they do, I see them finishing closer to 10th than last, and hopefully they can end the season on that “good run” that so many young teams seem to make before becoming a legitimate playoff team the following season.

I’ll miss hearing Norm call the games this year, although with 1510’s stellar nighttime signal, did we really hear him that much last year either?

SIMON… why do you bother?

SIMON

to Chris K

It bothers me because I love the Avs, and I would like to see the type of coverage other teams get in their respective cities. e.g., Columbus, Minnesota, Montreal, Vancouver.

SIMON

to Chris K

It bothers me because I love the Avs, and I would like to see the type of coverage other teams get in their respective cities. e.g., Columbus, Minnesota, Montreal, Vancouver.

Evan

AD, just hearing some rumors about Avs signing Dan Hinote, is this true? And how about rumors with Hannan going to Islanders, Washington, or Sabres?

So, the Hurricanes ink Yelle for $550K. Either Greg from accounting thinks the Avs PK will be top-shelf this season or Yelle has blacklisted the Avs for trading him to Calgary. What gives? Are the Avs so cash-strapped they can’t afford leadership at minimum salary + tip?

I can’t wait for fullsuckHD in two months.

Gurn Blanston

So, the Hurricanes ink Yelle for $550K. Either Greg from accounting thinks the Avs PK will be top-shelf this season or Yelle has blacklisted the Avs for trading him to Calgary. What gives? Are the Avs so cash-strapped they can’t afford leadership at minimum salary + tip?

I can’t wait for fullsuckHD in two months.

Scotty

Hey Evan,

Scotty from hockey-bums.com right here. Hinote to Avs is a definite rumor however Hannan to Washington would have been complete if it was for Nylander and Eklund claims the caps declined. Anyway also i’ll let you guys know HockeyBums is close to confirming our new Avalanche Blogger so check out for the latest http://hockey-bums.com/

Scotty

Scotty

Hey Evan,

Scotty from hockey-bums.com right here. Hinote to Avs is a definite rumor however Hannan to Washington would have been complete if it was for Nylander and Eklund claims the caps declined. Anyway also i’ll let you guys know HockeyBums is close to confirming our new Avalanche Blogger so check out for the latest http://hockey-bums.com/

Scotty

Trisha

I received the Hockey News Yearbook in the mail yesterday and was not too surprised to see the 14th place prediction. A few years of top 5 draft picks and the Avs should be in the top 8 again.

Trisha

I received the Hockey News Yearbook in the mail yesterday and was not too surprised to see the 14th place prediction. A few years of top 5 draft picks and the Avs should be in the top 8 again.

Avalangelist

Nick, I don’t think either Varlamov (games) or Gustavsson(age) will be eligible for the Calder. Dater, what’s the maximum age a player can be to be eligible for the Calder?

Avalangelist

Nick, I don’t think either Varlamov (games) or Gustavsson(age) will be eligible for the Calder. Dater, what’s the maximum age a player can be to be eligible for the Calder?

Adrian Dater

Avalangelist: 26 or younger, by Sept. 15 of their rookie year

Adrian Dater

Avalangelist: 26 or younger, by Sept. 15 of their rookie year

Carmela

Well, I guess this prediction will depend on a lot of factors:
– stability of the new goalie.
– injuries
– change in the plays brought about by the new coaching staff. Either we’ll see a great improvement, or no improvement at all.

Even if the Avs get lucky with the things I mentioned above, I think it would still be hard for them to make it to the top 8. I’m hoping to see SOME improvement though. I still think something is still missing. Whether it’s Duchene or some other veteran guy that will lead this team again, I can’t really say. I just hope the management and/or coaching staff will figure it out soon.

Carmela

Well, I guess this prediction will depend on a lot of factors:
– stability of the new goalie.
– injuries
– change in the plays brought about by the new coaching staff. Either we’ll see a great improvement, or no improvement at all.

Even if the Avs get lucky with the things I mentioned above, I think it would still be hard for them to make it to the top 8. I’m hoping to see SOME improvement though. I still think something is still missing. Whether it’s Duchene or some other veteran guy that will lead this team again, I can’t really say. I just hope the management and/or coaching staff will figure it out soon.

Jared

I think the Avs have a good chance to make it to the top ten if our two goalies(Anderson and Budaj) are solid, Duchene makes the team, and we don’t have a lot of injuries.

Jared

I think the Avs have a good chance to make it to the top ten if our two goalies(Anderson and Budaj) are solid, Duchene makes the team, and we don’t have a lot of injuries.

Joaquin

Of course, something is missing, Carmela: JOE SAKIC!!!!
Apart from that I don’t see the Avs finish as low as 14th, but I don’t see them make the playoffs, either. In any case I think it will be an interesting season. Oh and I pencil the Caps as champs, btw. (There’s a little hope in there as I love Ovechkin and can’t stand Sidney “the Whiner” Crosby or the Dead Wings)

Joaquin

Of course, something is missing, Carmela: JOE SAKIC!!!!
Apart from that I don’t see the Avs finish as low as 14th, but I don’t see them make the playoffs, either. In any case I think it will be an interesting season. Oh and I pencil the Caps as champs, btw. (There’s a little hope in there as I love Ovechkin and can’t stand Sidney “the Whiner” Crosby or the Dead Wings)

Avalangelist

The Avs should have a rough October and November but the second half of the season, Duchene and the other young kids should start to figure out the game, making for some real entertaining hockey to watch.

Avalangelist

The Avs should have a rough October and November but the second half of the season, Duchene and the other young kids should start to figure out the game, making for some real entertaining hockey to watch.

Rob

Did anyone happen to see the huge Avs advertisement in this Sunday’s Post? It was a ticket package for like 15 games with opening night free. Anyway, 10 of the games were “Alumni Nights,” where a former Av would be honored at the game. Has anyone heard who these players might be? I’d imagine two of them would be our new assistant coaches, but the other 8…?

Rob

Did anyone happen to see the huge Avs advertisement in this Sunday’s Post? It was a ticket package for like 15 games with opening night free. Anyway, 10 of the games were “Alumni Nights,” where a former Av would be honored at the game. Has anyone heard who these players might be? I’d imagine two of them would be our new assistant coaches, but the other 8…?

Drizzt

I hope Avs finish well and truly dead last, and we have an opportunity for our 1st legitimate top line left winger since Alex Tanguay in either Kabanov or Hall.

And Simon – no-one, and I mean NO-ONE rags on AD mate – he’s our hockey lifeblood, and I love that he calls a spade, a spade.

Best Avs journalist going around in my humble opinion.

Drizzt

I hope Avs finish well and truly dead last, and we have an opportunity for our 1st legitimate top line left winger since Alex Tanguay in either Kabanov or Hall.

And Simon – no-one, and I mean NO-ONE rags on AD mate – he’s our hockey lifeblood, and I love that he calls a spade, a spade.

Best Avs journalist going around in my humble opinion.

Pascal P

Truth is, the Hockey news predicted the Avs to finish 14th in the west last year as well and I’m a little bit surprised they don’t see them finish 15th this time.
Rebuilding is good and they should see the dividends of it in a few years but for the upcoming season I personally don’t see the right balance between youth and veteran talent and leadership on this team, not even the right balance at the various forwards positions (too weak on the left and center versus too many people on the right).
I guess once again the Hockey news is more or less right this time, this will be another long season.

Pascal P

Truth is, the Hockey news predicted the Avs to finish 14th in the west last year as well and I’m a little bit surprised they don’t see them finish 15th this time.
Rebuilding is good and they should see the dividends of it in a few years but for the upcoming season I personally don’t see the right balance between youth and veteran talent and leadership on this team, not even the right balance at the various forwards positions (too weak on the left and center versus too many people on the right).
I guess once again the Hockey news is more or less right this time, this will be another long season.

ryan

Seriously your ragging on dater because he’s only reporting about it now ??? i’m pretty sure he knew it came out a week ago seeing as how he was the writer for the colorado avlanche column in the acutual magazine. Second THN is always picking philly ??? really ??? cause last year they picked Detroit and they were in the finals, year previous to that they picked the ducks to repeat (they were def. off on that) and the year previous to that they picked the ducks who went on to win the stanley cup… Also last year when they picked the ave’s as 14th in the west I like many was thinking WHAT ??? i was actually a bit miffed thinking we were underrated UNTIL WE ENDED UP 15th… come on people know your hockey before you blog just don’t talk out of your butt… and Dater great work keep it up man

ryan

Seriously your ragging on dater because he’s only reporting about it now ??? i’m pretty sure he knew it came out a week ago seeing as how he was the writer for the colorado avlanche column in the acutual magazine. Second THN is always picking philly ??? really ??? cause last year they picked Detroit and they were in the finals, year previous to that they picked the ducks to repeat (they were def. off on that) and the year previous to that they picked the ducks who went on to win the stanley cup… Also last year when they picked the ave’s as 14th in the west I like many was thinking WHAT ??? i was actually a bit miffed thinking we were underrated UNTIL WE ENDED UP 15th… come on people know your hockey before you blog just don’t talk out of your butt… and Dater great work keep it up man

Megan

While I’m bummed about where THN has picked the Avs to end up, consider two things:

First, did anyone really expect any self-respecting journalist/publication to pick them any highter?

And second, it’s an improvement over last season, if in fact we do finish between 10th and 14th.

It comes down to a lot of variables that no one but the players on this team will have any control over. Either way, I’ll be there for all 82 games, agonizing or not.

Megan

While I’m bummed about where THN has picked the Avs to end up, consider two things:

First, did anyone really expect any self-respecting journalist/publication to pick them any highter?

And second, it’s an improvement over last season, if in fact we do finish between 10th and 14th.

It comes down to a lot of variables that no one but the players on this team will have any control over. Either way, I’ll be there for all 82 games, agonizing or not.

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.

Chambers covers college and professional hockey for The Denver Post. He has written for the Post since 1994, after dumping his first 9-to-5 office job a couple years out of college. He primarily follows the University of Denver hockey team and helps cover the Avalanche.